December 20, 2019

Live Nativity at Saint Francis Medical Center

Complete with camels, livestock, angels and an actual 4-month-old baby, Saint Francis Healthcare System went all out staging a live nativity scene Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Vice President of Foundation and Marketing Jimmy Wilferth said the nativity was inspired by the medical center's namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who invented what would become the modern nativity in 1223.

Rylee Gorton cradles the neck of a donkey during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Nicole and Duc Nguyen, dressed as Mary and Joseph, sit with 4-month-old Maverick Glaus, portraying baby Jesus, are framed in the shepherd's crook of fellow actor Danielle Torbet, far left, during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Tony Lyle, 8, pets a donkey during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Kim Crews, left, serves as an angelic narrator while Jimmy Wilferth runs a sound board during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Duc Nguyen, portraying Joseph, grimaces while receiving help with a headdress during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Danah Brandel is seen with other actors portraying a heavenly choir near the bright star during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Nicole Nguyen, right, smiles while holding a sleeping, 4-month-old Maverick Glaus during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Suzie the camel is seen with handler Catherine Neal during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Saint Francis Healthcare System Vice President of Foundation and Marketing Jimmy Wilferth chats about the origins of nativity scenes with children during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Wilferth said the live nativity was planned for about a year and was inspired by the medical center's namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who invented the first nativity scene in 1223.

Mona Nenninger laughs while helping her husband, Joe, adjust his shepherd's headdress during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Saint Francis Healthcare System's Chief Performance Improvement Officer Stephanie LaPierre, center, dressed as a wise man, greets visitors during a live nativity Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

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Complete with camels, livestock, angels and an actual 4-month-old baby, Saint Francis Healthcare System went all out staging a live nativity scene Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Vice President of Foundation and Marketing Jimmy Wilferth said the nativity was inspired by the medical center's namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who invented what would become the modern nativity in 1223.

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